What are the consequences of failing to assess diesel exhaust exposure?

Failing to assess diesel exhaust exposure can have both health and legal consequences. From a health perspective, workers may be exposed to harmful levels of exhaust without anyone realising, particularly in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas. Diesel exhaust is linked to respiratory disease and lung cancer, so the risks are not minor.

Legally, the absence of assessment is often viewed as a breach of COSHH duties. If exposure was foreseeable, regulators may conclude that the employer failed to take reasonably practicable steps to protect workers. This can lead to enforcement action, including Improvement Notices or prosecution in more serious cases.

There are also operational consequences. If exposure issues are identified later, for example during an inspection or following a complaint, corrective action is often rushed and more disruptive. Planned assessments usually cost far less than reactive fixes.

Finally, reputational damage shouldn’t be overlooked. Demonstrating that diesel exhaust risks were never assessed can undermine confidence from employees, clients, and insurers alike.